Our volunteers have dished out more than 20,000 food packs to vulnerable households during the COVID-19 lockdown.
From our Derby Barracks base, we runs Lucie’s Pantry, a social supermarket that provides food and household essentials to people in need. The pantry’s team of volunteers worked together throughout lockdown to ensure the service continued and meet additional demand.
Martin Sweeney, one of our volunteers at Lucie’s Pantry, said: “The pantry is a vital resourse for some of the most impoverished members of the Bolton community – for many it is a lifeline.”
Lucie’s Pantry opened at Emmaus Bolton in 2018 to support local households in need. The pantry is run by 12 local volunteers and formerly homeless people who are members of our community. In the four months from April to July, the pantry provided more than 20,000 food packs to residents across Bolton.
The pantry supplies a wide range of food including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen goods, tinned food, cereals, pasta and dairy items. All stock is sourced from FareShare Greater Manchester and donated by local supermarkets and individuals.
Tony Stephenson, our Director, said: “Members of our pantry usually pay a weekly membership fee of £2.50 and receive £25 worth of food, however at the start of the lockdown the community decided to waive the membership fees as an act of solidarity, allowing us to help even more people.
It has been a busy few months for Lucie’s Pantry but I’m extremely proud of the effort everyone has put in to help those in need during this difficult time. I would like to give huge thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers and all the organisations and individuals who support Lucie’s Pantry.”
If you think you might need a helping hand from Lucie’s Pantry, or you know someone who does, just pop down to our Derby Barracks site or give us a call on 01204 398056.